More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Humphry Davy

(1778–1829, kt 1812)Chemist whose experimental methods led to the discovery of sodium and potassium. He first made a reputation in 1801 with a series of public lectures at the *Royal Institution in London. His special interest was in the link between electricity and chemical reaction, arguing that electrolysis was the most likely method of breaking down substances to their elements. It was by this means that he was able to isolate sodium and potassium in 1807, following these with magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium in 1808.

His widest fame has been for a practical invention, the Davy lamp. Explosions were caused in mines by methane gas coming into contact with the naked flames of the miners' lamps. Davy protected the flame with a double cylinder of metal gauze. His solution was in use everywhere until the arrival of the electric lamp in the 20C.